Honorable Martha E. Bellinger (’75)
WATERTOWN, NY / CLAREMONT, CA — The Honorable Martha E. Bellinger, a Watertown native who rose from her family’s Jefferson County dairy farm to the heights of the California judiciary, passed away February 12, 2026, in Claremont, CA, following a battle with leukemia. Described as possessing the “mind of a lawyer and the heart of a pastor,” Martha’s life was defined by a profound calling to serve others.
Born to the late Cora and Raphael Bellinger, Martha grew up on the family dairy farm, where she shared a close bond with her father. It was from Raphael that she inherited the tireless work ethic and grounded perspective that would later define her landmark legal career. A lifelong scholar, Martha was a proud alumna of the Watertown City School District and was formally inducted into its Distinguished Alumni Hall of Achievement in 2014, an honor that celebrated her journey from a local student to a national leader in juvenile law.
Martha’s academic journey was as prestigious as it was extensive, including studies at Syracuse University (Class of 1972), Princeton Theological Seminary, and Oxford University. She went on to earn her Master of Theology from Boston University and her Juris Doctor from Whittier College School of Law, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review. Before her historic career in the West, Martha served the people of New York as an ordained parish minister in the United Methodist Church (Northern New York Conference).
These formative years in the region provided the foundation for her later work as an advocate for children and families. In the 1980s, Martha transitioned to California, where her career reached historic milestones. In 2005, she made history as the first “out lesbian” appointee of a Republican governor to the Los Angeles Superior Court. She was also a 1992 charter member of the International Association of LGBTQ+ Judges, helping to build a small group of L.A. jurists into a global association.
She eventually rose to become the Supervising Judge of the East District Delinquency Courts. Though she lived in California for many years, Martha remained a “New Yorker at heart.” She drew on her memories of the farm and her family for her award-winning books, including From Robe to Robe and The Two Ruths. The Honorable Martha E. Bellinger is survived by her devoted wife and partner of 42 years, Pam. The couple made history together as one of the first 2,000 couples to be legally married in California on July 7, 2008.
She is also survived by her sister, Jane (Robert) Golden, and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cora and Raphael, and her sister, Mary (Jerry) Lees. A private Memorial at Sea will be held in Monterey Bay. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be sent to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust USA, 25283 Cabot Road, Suite 101, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, +1 (949) 305-3785.